Combined curling stone handle assembly



April 21, 1970 I H. SPENCER 3,507,498

COMBINED CURLING STONE HANDLE ASSEMBLY Filed June 16, 196'? I N VENT 0R.

United States Patent O 3,507,498 COMBINED CUlRLlNG STONE HANDLE ASSEMBLYHugh Spencer, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignor t Ailsa Craig CurlingStones Limited, Toronto, Ontario,

Canada, a corporation of Canada Filed June 16, 1967, Ser. No. 646,640Int. Cl. A63b 67/14 U.S. Cl. 273--128 10 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THEDISCLOSURE A curling stone handle and plate assembly characterized inthat a relatively large diameter circular plate having a dished centerand an outwardly and downwardly inclining rim or flange of diminishingaltitude as between diametrically opposite points thereon is centrallyscrewed to the stone upon the upper surface thereof the handle beingsecured integrally to the plate eccentrically with respect to thevertical central stone-axis, and merging curvilinearly into said dishedcenter on the high side of said rim to overlie said plate diametricallytoward the low side of said rim. This particular way of attachment ofthe handle assembly to the upper surface of the stone forms a springbiassed connection at the contacting flange perimeter. An identifyingcolored disc may be inserted in a recess on the handle assembly todesignate which stone corresponds to each player. Furthermore,stiifening ribs may be used in the neck portion of the plastic or othermaterial of the handle assembly to strengthen the connection between thehandle assemblys neck or handle and its base plate.

The present invention relates to curling stone handle assemblies, anovel object and feature of improvement comprising, importantly, theprovision of such an assembly in which the handle is combined integrallywith a base of enlarged diameter, said base in virtue of its particularconfiguration and large diameter, being secureable to a conventionalcurling stone with ususually great tightness and rigidity andparticularly against loosening by rotation due to a certain resiliencyin the design of the base, whereby it is held in spring-biased or springloaded screwthreaded attachment to the stone, it being understood thatordinarily, with conventional handles, having only a small central boss,loosening of such a conventional assembly with respect to the stone iscommon due to the considerable mass and inertia of the stone whenrotated about its vertical axis, against the resistance of the handle asheld by a player..

A further novel feature of the present invention resides in the formingof an integral curling stone handle and base therefor wherein there isno conventional central wooden gripping portion or bail upon the handlesituated between two metallic end portions. In such conventionalconstruction, the wooden central bail portion must of necessity besecured in place by a screw-threaded boss at the distal end of thehandle, which again can become loose so that the bail rotatesundesirably from the players point of view, and to the disadvantage ofthe exercise of the greatest possible skill, in projecting the stoneover the ice.

A further novel feature of the present invention resides in theprovision of a handle in combination with an enlarged base which latteris of such configuration, that the same has greater resiliency in theregion below the distal end of the handle such that an exceedinglyslight, but nevertheless advantageous downwards yielding of the handleat the distal end may be experienced in projecting the associated stoneover the ice, such downward yielding assisting in a desirable feel, anda responsiveness, par- 3,507,498 Patented Apr. 21, 1970 ticularly as thehandle leaves the hand and as the stone is tossed on its way over theice.

Another important novel feature of the herein disclosed invention andone which co-operates with that stated in the last preceding paragraphresides in the particular cross-sectional configuration of the handlewhich handle while having upwardly convex and downwardly convex upperand lower surfaces respectively has relatively parallel, vertical, andat sides or flanks such that a very definitely greater degree of controlis achieved, than is the case with an uncontrollable handle of acircular transverse cross-section.

Another important novel feature of the present invention resides in theformation of a handle, and an enlarged integral base there below whereinthe connecting neckportion of the handle Hows into the base and mergesoutwardly and downwardly in the form of outwardly, downwardly,semi-circularly extending and outwardly widening stiffening ribs whichalso form the boundary of a concave centre portion below the handle, thejust described structure providing stitfeuing and buttressing means atthe connecting neck-portion in virtue of which a very rigid connectionbetween the handle and the large base plate is secured against fractureby horizontal torque as between the handle and the plate due to theinertial mass of the stone if rotated against the resistance of the handheld handle.

A further novel feature of the present invention resides in theprovision of an enlarged central boss embedded in the plastic of thebase plate with the surrounded plastic constituting an embodimentcomplementing the peculiar arcuate perimetrical formation of the rim ofthe boss whereby fracturing rotation of the handle is further prevented,it being understood that the enlarged central boss just referred to isintegral with a handle armature clad with the plastic, or surrounded byit so that an unbreakable rigid unit is achieved, so far as rupturingunder torque is concerned.

A still further novel feature of the present invention resides in theconstruction of a unitary, integral, handle and base plate in a curlingstone handle assembly which, being of plastic, is less cold than theordinary conventional curling stone handle and can therefore comfortablybe grasped by the player without gloves. A further novel and inventivefeature of the present assembly resides in the provision in an integralplastic handle and enlarged base plate of permanent and clearly visibleidentifying means in virtue of which a player may easily identify hispair of stones from any angle and whereby the set of stones belonging toa particular sheet of ice in a rink having several sheets of ice, may beparticularly easily identified.

A still further novel feature and one adding greatly to the enjoyment ofplay through easy identification is, that being made of plastic, theeight stones of one team may be color contrasted with the eight stonesof the opposing team, it being contemplated that, for the most part, thestones of one team will be provided with white plastic handleassemblies, and those of the other team of red plastic handleassemblies, although, in this connection, it is to be understood thatthe present invention need not necessarily be of plastic, but may ifdesired be of some other material, such as cast aluminum, capable ofbeing color-anodyzed.

A still further special feature inherent in the present inventionconsists of the provision of a base plate having a perirnetrical,outwardly and downwardly inclining skirt or flange which is steeper inthe vicinity of the connection of the handle to said plate than it is inthe diametrically opposite region (that is to say beneath the distal endof the handle). By virtue of this novel disposition of base platematerial, greater rigidity is achieved in the vicinity where the handleis connected to the plate, as between the skirt and the stone than atthe opposite end. The provision of such outwardly inclining skirthowever, both where it is stiifest and steepest as well as where it isshallowest and most resilient permits the application underscrew-threaded rotation of the main connecting bolt to expand or flattenvery slightly, downwards, against its inherent resilience so that anexceptionally tight frictional engagement is achieved and this over awide perimeter.

A still further feature resides in the amalgamation of all the foregoingconstructionally novel features into a curling stone handle assembly ofconspicuously pleasing appearance and relative ease of manufacturewhereby the same may be purchased at a reasonable price.

With the foregoing considerations in View, and such other objects,purposes or advantages as may become apparent from consideration of thisdisclosure and specification, the present invention consists of ltheinventive concept embodied in the method, process, construction,arrangement of parts, or new use of any of the foregoing, as hereinparticularly exemplified in one or more specific embodiments of suchconcept, reference lbeing had to the accompanying figures in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the invented curling stone handleassembly in situ upon a curling stone with a portion of the latterfragmented to depict the manner in which the assembly is attached and tosuggest and convey the manner in which extremely minute flexure oryielding downwardly at the left end or distal end of the handle ispossible due to the thinning down of the plate at the left end orregion.

FIGURE 2 is a plan View of the invented curling stone handle assembly.

FIGURE 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an elevation of the invented assembly as viewed from theleft towardthe right, normal to the picture plane, with reference to theaccompanying FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an elevation of the invented assembly as viewed from theright toward the left, normal to the picture plan, with reference to theaccompanying FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 6 is an underside plan view of the base plate forming part of theinvented assembly.

In the drawings, like characters of reference designate similar parts inthe several figures.

By way of a preliminary summary of the inventive concept, theillustrated assembly comprises, in combination a base plate collectivelydesignated A, having an at least approximately circular outerperimetrical portion collectively designated B (which may also equallywell be described as an outwardly and downwardly inclining skirt orflange), which in situ, is in tight friction-bearing contact with theupper surface C of a curling stone D, and a handle generally designatedE surmounting the aforesaid base plate and integral therewith, thediameter of the -plate being at least equal to the length of the handle,and means generally designated F for securing the aforesaid assembly tostone D.

Having thus set forth a consistory summary of the present invention, amore detailed description thereof follows wherein numerals willgenerally be substituted for the foregoing letters for greaterparticularity.

Notwithstanding the high degree of skill with which the game of curlinghas become invested increasingly, due to the improvements in theuniformity and quality of the stones or rocks with which the game isplayed, the more even ice surface over which it is played, and theanalysis of, and instruction in the dynamics of projecting and guidingthe stones, including the technique of sweeping the ice for the desiredguidance of the stone, nevertheless, the handle unit has remainedunimproved over a long period of time, and is considered to suffer fromsuch limitations in design as seriously to limit the potentialities forthe exercise of skill and increase in enjoyment of the game. Suchlimitations include the great susceptibility to loosening of the wholehandle unit with respect to the stone, and loosening of the handle unitwith respect to its parts, and particularly that of the bail or woodenportion.

Base plate A consists of the aforesaid perimetrical B, and, in addition,a downwardly concave, finger accommodating center portion generallydesignated 10 below handle E. Handle E is secured to the base plate bymeans of a neck portion collectively designated 11.

Handle E, as best indicated in the accompanying FIG- URES 4 and 5 has across-sectional profile delineating an upper surface 12 which is ofshallow, upwardly convex configuration, and an under surface 13 ofrelatively deep, downwardly convex configuration. In addition, thehandle includes flanks 4 which are at least nearly fiat, vertical andparallel. Due to this configuration it will be apparent that such ahandle can be grasped in the palm of the closed hand in such a way thatwhen a rotary movement is imparted to the wrist, such movement will betransmitted to the handle in such a way that the assembly and hence thestone, may be rocked to a certain extent as indicated by double headedarrow, 15. Finally, in connection with this description of thesuperficial configuration of the handle, attention is directed to thedistal end 16 thereof, which, by best reference to the accompanyingFIGURE 1 is seen to incline downwardly so that, here again, the stonemay be experienced by the player as leaving his hand in a smooth,satisfying followthrough and the inclined end surface portion 17 may initself, in the sensitive hand of a skilled player also add to control ofthe path of the stone over the ice aided in the view of some experts bythe ygreater length X (FIG. l).

The neck portion 11 merges outwardly and downwardly into plate A in whatis described as a stratum 18 of parallel, horizontal, superposed planes,the material limits of which extend outwardly with respect to thevertical longitudinal axial plane of the handle as specifically'depicted at 19 and 20 of FIGURE 5. The neck portion thus increaseswidely downward with respect to the aforesaid axial plane to strengthenthe connection between the handle and the base plate. Thus the portionsdesignated 19 and 20 constitute buttresses as also well illustrated inFIGURES 1 and 2 and may also be equally well described as a pair ofoutwardly and downwardly semi-circularly extending widening, stiieningribs ou either side of the handle. Equally also they may be consideredas the rim which bounds the finger accommodating center portion 10.

In addition, neck-portion 11 also merges into plate A below handle E at21, specifically, into the finger accommodating neck portion 10 of theplate, further to strengthen the connection between the handle and theplate against fracture due to torque between these parts, but alsoagainst excessive pressure downward upon the distal end 16 of thehandle, and which excessive pressure downward can occur when a stoneturns over as is sometimes the case.

It will lbe seen that the flange B is steeper and vertically deeper inthe vicinity 22, which is that of the neck-portion, than is the flangein the region 23 diametrically opposite vicinity 22. The greatersteepness and greater vertical depth just referred to is also to assistfurther in strengthening the connection between handle E and base plateB against fracture due to torque as already stated. However, it is also,in combination with the relatively thinned-down region 23 for thepurpose of permitting greater flexibility and spring biassed frictionalcontact under screw-tightening between the upper surface of the stone inthe area 24 than the region 23 which is seen to decrease in steepnessand vertical depth from the neck portion vicinity 22, resulting inresiliency in the region 23.

It has already been indicated that the present invention is preferablymanufactured as a plastic. Embedded therein is an enlarged central bosscollectively designated 25 preferably of metallic substances. The rim ofthis boss, as viewed in plan FIGURE 6 has opposite portions eachprovided with an outwardly arcuate perimeter 26 and 27, and otheropposite portions each provided with an inwardly arcuate perimeter 28.For purposes of orientation as between the accompanying FIGURES 3 and 6,the surface 29 is thus designated. From the foregoing it will berecognised that the portion 29 and the portion 30, together constitute aange which conforms lto the rim 26, 27 and 28. Extending upwardly fromboss 25 and merging with increasing width thereinto, is an integralhandle-armature 31, it being seen from FIGURE 3 that the same is cladwith plastic. The provision of the boss 25 and the handle armature 31together assist further in preventing independent fracturing rotation asbetween the handle and the base plate A resulting from rotation of thestone against the resistance of the hand held handle.

The generally circular lines 32 of FIGURE 6 represent the underside ofthe ribs 19 and 20 as best seen in the accompanying FIGURES 2 and 4.

The attaching assembly F also includes the downwardly projectinginternally screw-threaded bushing 34 with which engages the connectingbolt 35 having at its lower end the frusto-conical upset head 36receivable into the countersunk aperture 37 formed within the stonecoterminous with the central passageway 39 therein. In this connectionit should be explained that generally the relative diameters of parts 35and 39 is such that the difference -between them is in the range of oneeighth of an inch. It will thus be apparent that the -bolt 35 is free tomove to a limited extent in the passageway 39.

It will also be observed that a plenum -40 exists between the uppercentral concave surface 41 of the stone, and the interior (generallydesignated 42) of the underside of plate A. By a contempla-tion of theaccompanying FIG- URES 1 and 3 therefore, it will -be apparent, thatupon the invented curling stone handle assembly being screwed tightlyonto the stone D in the manner which will now be obvious, a very tightfrictional engagement must take place as between the underside rim 43and the surface of the stone immediately adjacent thereto.

Located centrally with respect to the vicinity 22 is a disc or the like44 upon which the number of the sheet (f ice) will be placed so that itwill always -be known that that stone is intended to be played on thatparticular sheet or strip of ice. Upon either side of the handle E, andwithin the center portion 10, 2 further discs 45 are provided. Thesediscs will each bear the same number, which number will be the number ofthe player, it being understood that in the game of curling there are 4members to a team, numbered 1 through 4, each member having 2 stones.Each of his two stones will be identically marked upon the discs 45.Such discs may also be characteristically colored, thus for example, thepair of stones played -by player #1 will both have discs 45 coloredyellow, player #2 green, player #3 blue, player #4 black.

The discs 44 and 46 are shown to be contained within shallow recesses inthe accompanying FIGURE 3. However, if desired, these discs may eachhave a perimeter which is bevelled either from the upper or the loweredge only, or outwardly and equally from kboth edges so as to present acentral surrounding projecting ridge between the upper and lowersurfaces of the disc. Other perimetrical cross-sectional gurations maybe employed. Whatever the configuration however, these may, in virtue ofthe resiliency of the disc, and the resiliency of the surroundingplastic of the base, be press-inserted securely into apertures extendingclear through the thickness of the base, having perimeters which arecomplementary to the perimeter of the discs as aforesaid. By this means,the rigidity of the vicinity 22, and the region 23 may be varied. Alsoof course the rigidity may be varied by the depth of the shown recessesin which the shown discs are recessed, all according to the nature ofthe plastic and the amount of resiliency found to be best suited toconditions generally.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventiveconcept disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that what is set forthherein should be regarded as illustrative of such concept and not forthe purpose of limiting protection to any particular embodimentsthereof, and that only such limitations should be placed upon the scopeof protection to which the inventor hereof is entitled, as justicedictates.

What is claimed is:

1. A curling stone handle in combination with a curling stone,comprising a single base plate formed of resilient material whollyconcentrically overlying and secured against the upper surface of saidstone having an at least approximately circular outer perimetricalportion which normally is held in tight spring-biassed friction-bearingcontact with said upper surface of said stone, a handle surmounting said`base plate and integral therewith, the diameter of said plate being atleast equal to the length of said handle, and means securing said baseplate to said stone, said plate having a downwardly concavelingeraccommodating center portion below said handle, said base platealso having a surrounding outwardly and downwardly inclining flange toprovide a plenum between the underside of said plate and said uppersurface of said stone substantially :bounded by said perimetricalportion, said securing means comprising a screw-threaded stone attachingassembly in said plate and occupying the center of said plenum wherebysaid base plate may be threadably secured to said stone with the outerperimeter of said plate in yielding spring-biased outward and downwardcontact with the upper surface of said stone.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle includes aneck portion connecting the same to said base plate, said flange beingsteeper and vertically deeper in the vicinity of the neck portion ofsaid handle than it is in the region substantially diametricallyopposite from said neck portion, whereby to better accommodate andfurther strengthen the connection between said handle and base plateagainst fracture due to torque and to permit greater flexibility betweenthe upper surface of said stone and said diametrically opposite region,said flange as viewed in elevation with the longitudinal axis of saidhandle normal to the line of vision being seen to decrease in steepnessand vertical depth from said neck portion vicinity to said diametricallyopposite region.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2 in which the diameter of saidbase plate is substantially greater than the length of said handle.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 in which the diameter of saidbase plate is substantially greater than the length of said handle, saidhandle being attached to said plate by a neck portion which includes apair of outwardly and downwardly semi-circularly extending wideningstitfening ribs at the opposite sides thereof, said neck portion alsomerging into said plate below said handle to strengthen the connectionbetween said handle and said plate against fracture due to torquebetween these parts and against excessive downward pressure upon the endof the handle remote from said neck portion.

5. The combination as delined in claim 1 in which said base plate isformed from plastic material and in which said attaching assemblyincludes an enlarged central boss embedded in the plastic material ofsaid plate, the rim of said boss as viewed in plan having oppositeportions each provided with an outwardly arcuate perimeter and otheropposite portions each provided with an inwardly arcuate perimeter, anembodiment surrounding said perimeters in the form of a tlangeconforming to said rim, a handle armature integral with said boss andclad with plastic, said embedment coacting with said arcuate perimetersto assist in preventing tracturing rotation of said handle with saidboss independendently of said stone.

6. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle isconnected to said base plate at one end only and its opposite end isfree, the incline of said flange being steeper in the vicinity of theconnected end of the handle than in the vicinity of its free end.

7. The combination as dened in claim 1 in which said base plate isformed from plastic material and in which said handle includes a neckportion connecting the same to said base plate, said attaching assemblyincluding an enlarged metallic boss embedded in the plastic material ofsaid plate, and a plastic-embedded handle armature extending upwardlyfrom said boss through the neck portion of said handle.

8. The combination as dened in claim 7 in which said ange is providedwith at least one recess, and a disc press insertable in said recess.

9. The combination as` defined in claim 1 in which the profile of saidhandle includes an upper surface, an under surface and a pair of flanksjoining the upper and under surfaces, said upper surface being shallowupwardly convexed, said under surface being relatively deep downward-References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,772,804 8/1930 GillisV 273-1282,147,907 2/1939 MacChesney 273-64 3,206,202 9/1965 Evans 273-64 FOREIGNPATENTS 696,933 11/1964 Canada.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner T. ZACK, Assistant Examiner

